From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The police force headquarters in Abuja, said its operatives has arrested several suspects involved in unauthorized revenue collection and multiple taxation along the Enugu, Abakaliki, and Ebonyi highways.
The arrests according to the force public relations officer Olumiyiwa Adejobi, is a significant step towards eradicating illegal activities, promoting economic growth, and free flow of industrial and agricultural produce on highways across the country.
Adejobi, also said it is a decisive move to give a boost to the Federal government policy on ease of doing business and to tackle economic sabotage and illegal taxation, the Nigeria Police Force
Adejobi, in a statement, said operatives of the Nigeria Police Force made the first breakthrough on 24/08/24, with the arrest of 14 suspects at the Abakaliki and Ebonyi boundary at 3 AM. Additional arrests were made, including 5 suspects at Abumeje, Ogoja, and the last suspect at the Onuakpu area of Ebonyi, while the 5 suspects have been charged to court for economic sabotage and illegal and multiple taxation on highways. Other suspect s who are un the custody at Ebonyi Command will soon appear in court.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has reaffirms the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to dismantling all illegal revenue collection points, and illegal taxation, ensuring a safer and more secure environment for citizens most especially businessmeb and women in Nigeria.
He said “This operation remains a good start for the police to escalate and enforce the Presidential order on ease of doing business and the fight against illegal road blocks, revenue collection and multiple taxation on the higways with a view to promoting economic development in Nigeria”.